Submitting Applications
How Many Programs Should I Apply for?
This answer will depend on how competitive you are and how competitive your specialty is. In highly competitive specialties, even the strongest candidates need to apply to a large number of programs. Even AOA students don't get offers at every program they apply to. The decision of how many residencies to apply to should be made in conjunction with your departmental advisor.
The following data is collected from the UWSOM graduating Class of 2011:
Close to 20% of the class started out the process by applying in two
different specialties, sometimes to give themselves more time to sort
out their first choice and sometimes as a Plan B. Most students
applying in competitive specialties, such as derm and radiology had a
Plan B. Combinations included: Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Family
Medicine and Ob/Gyn. Internal Medicine and Rehab. Radiology and Internal
Medicine. Radiology and Surgery. Orthopaedics and Surgery.
The list below summarizes:
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How many students applied in each specialty,
-
How many programs the students applied to, including range and median
-
The average number of programs students applied to.
Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine, Transitional Year:
> 5 Students applied
Range: 24 - 72 programs
Average: 51
Dermatology, Transitional Year, Internal Medicine:
Range: 74 - 116 programs
Average: 101
Emergency Medicine:
15 students applied
Range: 21 - 97 programs
Median: 33
Average: 35
Family Medicine:
28 students applied
Range: 6 - 38 programs
Median: 15
Average: 17
Internal Medicine:
41 students applied
Range: 6 - 61
Median: 21
Average: 25
Medicine/peds:
> 5 students applied
Average: 20 programs
OB/GYN:
10 students applied
Range 19 - 83
Median: 28.5
Average: 29.5
Orthopaedics:
6 students applied
Range: 48 - 95
Median: 70
Average: 70
Otolaryngology:
Average: 76
Pathology:
7 students applied
Range: 9 - 24
Median: 19
Average: 16
Pediatrics:
18 students
Range 9 - 34
Median: 22.5
Average: 23.6
Plastic Surgery:
Range: 48 - 66
Median: 49
Average: 54
Psychiatry:
10 students applied
Range: 5 - 51
Median: 12
Average: 13
Radiology, Internal Medicine and Transitional Year:
> 5 students applied
Range: 48 to 63
Average: 56 programs
Surgery:
10 students applied
Range: 25 - 72
Median: 36
Average: 45
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